Automatic reclining chair



3, 1936. H. E. SMITH 2,@32773 AUTOMATIC RECLINING CHAIR Filed Dec. 31, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY arch 3, H g T AUTOMATIC RECLIN ING CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Des. 51, 1934,

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in automatic reclining chairs.

It is one of the principal objects of my invention to provide an automatic, reclining chair that is full floating on the yielding means in any of its positions to afford complete rest and relaxation to the occupant. The chair is so constructed that the one occupying it has no feeling of sitting or lying on anything solid, while a pleasant swinging motion follows any movement of the body to add to ones rest and comfort in a reclining as Well as in an upright position.

My chair lends itself for use as a shock absorbing seat for railway cars and busses, and may be employed as an ideal ambulance. cot or seat.

Other important and incidental objects will be brought out in the following specification, and particularly set forth in the subjoined claims.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my automatic, reclining chair in an upright position. Figure 2 is a front elevational View of said chair and a foot rest which may be used with it. Figure 3 is a side elevational view thereof. Figure 4 is a front View of one form of spring mechanism for floatingly supporting the chair seat and back. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken through the spring mechanism on the line 6-6 of Figure 4. Figure 7 is a perspective view of my chair, showing a heavy person in a reclining position therein. Figure 8 is a similar View of my chair when supporting a person approximately fifty pounds lighter than the occupant shown in Figure 7. And Figure 9 is a side view of one of the coil type of springs used in my chair as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a detailed description of my invention, the numerals l, I designate the front legs, and 2, 2 the rear curved legs of my reclining chair. The numerals 3, 3 designate base rails which are connected by cross rails 4, 4. The upper ends of the legs 2, 2 are connected by cross rails 4 4*, just behind the point where these legs join the upper portions of the front legs I, l. The curved legs 2, 2 which project upwardly and forwardly from the rear part of the base frame formed by the side rails 3, 3 and the cross rails 4, 4, brace the vertical front legs I, I.

Pivotally secured to the upper ends of the legs I, l are the front ends of horizontal seat members 5, 5. To the rear ends of the latter back members 6, 6 are pivotally attached. Pivotally secured to the lower portions of these back members are the rear ends of arms I, I that are pivotally joined at their front ends to vertical lever members 8, 8. These members project downwardly through slots in the seat members 5, 5,

to which they are fulcrumed at their middle portions by means of fulcrum pins 8 8, for an oscillating or swinging movement.

For the purpose of floatingly supporting the chair seat and back in an upright or desired inclined position, I provide a yielding connection between a fixed member on the chair base, and the lower ends of the swinging members 8, 8. In Figures 4 and 5 this yielding connection takes the form of an adjustable coil spring structure which will now be described. Secured to supporting blocks 9, 9 attached to the legs 2, 2 a short distance behind the swinging members 8, 8 when they are in an upright position, are the ends of a fixed horizontal rod l0.

Secured to the lower free ends of the oscillatory memberli, 8 are the ends I l and H of a floating tubular member [2 that is parallel with the fixed rod l0.

Coil springs 43 are directly connected between the fixed rod l and the floating tubular member l2 to yieldingly support the occupant in an upright state, or in any desired reclining position.

In my construction the same spring 43 that sustains the seat, also controls the reclining back. Because of this construction the force exerted against the back is directly proportional to the weight of the occupant, and is balanced at all points. When the occupant reclines the force exerted against the back increases as the weight is transferred from the seat to the back, causing the resistance of the springs 43 to increase.

During the reclining movement of the. occupants body, his feet are not lifted from the floor because the point a in Figure 3 does not change. However, the points of attachment of the seat members 5, to the legs I, I follow the natural action of the hip joints to accommodate the chair to the oocupants body in all of its positions, thus insuring complete rest and relaxation to the person using the chair.

In Figures 4, 5 and 6 I have shown an alternative spring construction from that illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, '7, 8 and 9. This modification will now be described.

Pivotally mounted on the middle portion of the fixed rod I0 is a T-shaped supporting member l3. Formed at the middle and each end of the cross portion M of this T-member is a boss l5 provided with an axial hole through which the rod l0 projects to support said T-shaped member for an oscillatory movement. The vertical part [6 of the T-shaped member I3 terminates at its lower end in a yoke I! which straddles the floating member l2. (See Figures 4 and The vertical portion N5 of the T-member I3 is enlarged a short distance above its yoke end I! to provide a reinforced axial hole I8 to receive a horizontal spring-supporting rod l9 which is slidable and rotatable therein. The outer end of this rod is threaded to receive a nut 20 between which and the enlarged portion of the T-member |3 a coil spring 2| surrounds the rod. (See Figures 4 and 6). i

Telescopically secured to the opposite end of the rod 9 is a sleeve 22 formed with a longitudinal slot 23 to receive a pin 24 carried by the rod l9. At its outer end this sleeve isjormed with an annular shoulder 25 in'front of which it is threaded to receive a nut 26 similar to the nut 20. The thread on the rod I9 is right hand,

whereas the thread on the sleeve 22 is left hand.

Between the nut 26 and the T-member I3 a coil spring 21 surrounds both the sleeve 22 and the rod l9. (See; Figures 4 and 6).

Provided onthe right-hand side of the cross portion I 4 of the T- member l3, near its vertical part I6, is a depending boss 28 to which a bell crank-lever 29 is secured by a pivot pin 30. The outer end of the horizontal portion of this bell crank lever is connected by a "link 3| to one end ll of the floating ember H. The vertical part of the bell crank lever 2'9terminates at its lower end in a wide yoke 32 that is 'pivotally secured to the ends of a horizontal U-p'iece '33 which encompasses the rear end of the spring 2| and the nut 20, to engage its closed end with an annular rod l9. (See Figures 4, 5

The weight of the occupant of the chair, and more particularly when one assumes a reclining position therein, will urge the member 12 out- 'ver 36 similarto the bell crank lever 29.

wardlyto pull the U-piece 33 against the .sh'oulder 34 and thereby move the rod IBJin the direction of the sleeve side of the vertical portion "I'G of the T-member 3. The nut .20, threaded on the rod, will then be forcedagainst the spring 2| to compress 'it for the purpose of yieldingly supporting a part of the weight of the occupant of the chair. The remaining portion of this load is carried by the other spring 21 when simultaneously engaged by the nut 26 on the sleeve 22 which has a sliding fit on the other end of the rod l9.

The sleeve 22 is moved along the rod toward the vertical part N5 of the 'T-member 13., by the engagement of a horizontal U-p'iece 35 with the shoulder 25, said U-piece being pivotally connected to the yoke portion of a bell crank 'le- This lever, which is pivotally secured to a depending boss 31 on the 'T-member 13, is .pivotally connected at its outer end by a link 3.8., to the end 1| of the floating member 2.

For the purpose of adjusting \the tension of the springs 2| and..2| toaccommodate occupants of different weights; so that both light andheavy persons may rest and relax comfortably .in the chair, I have provided the following means. Attached to the outerend of the rod I 3 is an adjusting knob 39 which may. be'turned to advance the nuts 20 and 26 for the purpose of increasing the tension of the springs 2| and 21 respectively, or to reverse :the movement of the .-nuts to relax the tension of those springs without changing the .position of the lever centers. Deep recesses are assist in swinging the whole spring-actuating assembly for the purpose of making its floating qualities completely available to the occupant. Whether one assumes a sitting or a reclining position in the chair, the springs 2| and 21 will be placed under suflicient tension .by the floating member 2 to permit the occupant to float on them at all times. The outward movement of the tubular member l2, in response to a similar movement of the lower ends ofthe lever member 8, draw the outer ends of the bell crank levers 29 and 36 downwardly by means of the connecting links 3| and 38 to compress these springs, which are pro-adjusted to floatingly carry in an easy and restful manner a person of light, medium or heavy weight. i

In Figure 8 I have shown the position of the seat and back members of my chair fWhBII occupied by a light person, whereas in Figure 7 I have shown the chair occupied by a person whose weight is substantially fifty pounds more than that of the occupant of the chain in "8. It will be observed that in each instance the seat andback members automatically accommodate themselves to the body of the occupant of the chair irrespective of the weight of that occupant. Nor does the upright or an intermediate position of the occupant of the chair affect the automatic adjustment of its back andseat to his or her body.

The spring mechanism just described is concealed from view by a shield board 40 attached to the front edges of the lower ends of the swinging members 8, 8, and 'by triangular Sideboards 4| secured to the sides of said members.

The forward movement of the upper portion of the lever members 8, 8 is limited'by theirengagement with the upper front edges of the slots in the seat members 5, '5 through which'they project. The upper ends of the side boards 4| have recessed portions 42 for engagement with the fixed rod Ill to limit the upward movement of the seat.

Secured to the base rails 4, 4 are channel guides "44 which receive longitudinal members 45 that used, it may be folded up and slid under the'front portion of the chair.

and 3, a detachable foot rest such as the foot rest 5| illustrated in Figure 8, may be employed if desired.

Having described my invention, I claim! 1. A chair of the type described, comprising a base, a seat pivotally secured at its front end to said base, a back pivotally attached to said seat,

vertical members fulcrumed at their middle portions to said seat, arms pivotally joined at their rear ends to said back and at their forward ends to the upper ends of said vertical members, and yieldin means connected between the lower ends of the vertical members and the base to fioatingly support the seat and back in an upright or a reclining position.

VVhileI show a connected foot rest in Figures? 2. A chair of the type described, comprising a 7 base, front legs for said base, projecting above the latter, a seat pivotally secured at its front end to the upper ends of said front .legs, a back pivotally attached to said seat, vertical lever members fulcrumed at their middle portions to said seat, arms pivotally joined at their upper ends to said back and at their front ends to the upper ends of said vertical lever members, and springs connected between the lower ends of the vertical lever members and the base to floatingly support the seat and back in an upright or a reclining position.

3. A chair of the type described comprising front and rear legs, the latter projecting forwardly for connection to the front legs, a seat pivotally secured at its front end to the upper ends of the front legs, a back pivotally attached to said seat, vertical lever members fulcrumed at their middle portions to said seat, arms pivotally joined at their upper ends to said back and at their front ends to the upper ends of said vertical lever members, a horizontal rod secured between the rear legs above the lower ends of the vertical lever members, a second horizontal rod secured between the lower ends of the vertical members, and springs connected between the first and second rods to floatingly support the seat and back in an upright or a reclining position.

4. A chair of the type described, comprising a base, a seat pivotally secured at its front end to said base, a back pivotally attached to said seat, vertical lever members fulcrumed at their middle portions to said seat, arms pivotally joined at their rear ends to said back and at their forward ends to the upper ends of said vertical lever members, a transverse rod secured to said base, a member pivotally mounted on said rod, a coil spring carried by the pivotally mounted member, a bell crank lever carried by the pivotally mounted member, means on one arm of said bell crank lever engaging one end of said spring, the other end of said spring bearing against said pivotally mounted member and link means secured between the lower ends of the vertical lever members and the other arm of the bell crank lever to compress said spring when the lower ends of said vertical lever members are depressed or are moved outwardly by the rearwardly moving back of said chair.

5. A chair of the type described, comprising a base, a seat pivotally secured at its front end to said base, a back pivotally attached to said seat, vertical lever members fulcrumed at their middle portions to said seat, arms pivotally joined at their rear ends to said back and at their forward ends to the upper ends of said vertical lever members, a transverse rod secured to said base, a member pivotally mounted on said rod, a coil spring carried by the pivotally mounted member, a bell crank lever carried by the pivotally mounted member, means on one arm of said bell crank lever engaging one end of said spring, the other end of said spring bearing against said pivotally mounted member, link means secured between the lower ends of the vertical lever members and the other arm of the bell crank lever to compress said spring when the lower ends of said vertical lever members are depressed or are moved outwardly by the rearwardly moving back of said chair, and means for pre-adjusting the tension of said spring.

6. A chair of the type described, comprising a base, a seat pivotally secured at its front end to said base, a back pivotally attached to the rear end of said seat, vertical lever members fulcrumed at their middle portions to said seat, arms pivotally joined at their rear ends to said back and at their forward ends to the upper ends of said vertical lever members, a horizontal member fixed in said base above the lower ends of the vertical lever members, a depending spring support piv otally secured to the fixed horizontal member, a horizontal compression spring carried by said spring support, a horizontal floating member carried by the lower ends of the vertical lever members below said spring, a bell crank lever pivotally secured to the depending spring support means on one end of said lever engaging one end of the spring, the other end of said spring bearing against said depending spring support and a link connecting the other end of said bell crank lever to the floating horizontal member.

7. A chair of the type described, comprising a base, a seat pivotally secured at its front end to said base, a back pivotally attached to the rear end of said seat, vertical lever members fulcrumed at their middle portions to said seat, arms pivotally joined at their rear ends to said back and at their forward ends to the upper ends of said vertical lever members, a horizontal member fixed in said base above the lower ends of the vertical lever members, a depending spring support pivotally secured to the fixed horizontal member, a horizontal spring rod slidably and rotatably carried by said depending support, a coil spring on said rod and at one end engaging the depending spring support, a horizontal floating member carried by the lower ends of the vertical lever members below said spring, said. spring rod being threaded at its outer end, a nut on the threaded end of said rod in engagement with the outer end of said spring, a bell crank lever pivotally secured to the depending support, a connection between one end of said bell crank lever and the outer end of the rod to move the latter and the nut it carries, inwardly to compress said spring, a link connected between the other end of said bell crank lever and the floating horizontal member, and means for turning said rod to pre-adjust the tension of said spring.

8. A chair of the type described, comprising a base, a seat pivotally secured at its front end to said base to overhang the latter, a back pivotally attached to the rear end of said seat, vertical lever members fulcrumed at their middle portions to said seat, arms pivotally jointed at their rear ends to said back and at their forward ends to the upper ends of said vertical lever members, a horizontal member fixed in said base above the lower ends of the vertical lever members, a depending spring support pivotally secured to the fixed horizontal member, a horizontal spring rod slidably and rotatably carried by said depending spring support, a sleeve slidably secured to one end of said rod, the free end of said rod and said sleeve being threaded, a nut applied to the threaded end of said rod, a second nut applied to said sleeve, a coil spring surrounding said rod between each nut and the depending spring support, two bell crank levers pivotally secured to the latter, a connection between one end of each bell crank lever and the outer end of its respective spring, a link connected between the other end of each bell crank lever and the floating horizontal member, and a knob secured to one end of said rod for turning it to pre-adjust the tension of said springs.

HOMER E. SMITH. 

